In my Hot Body Tone class, the instructor uses this song, amongst many others, for our one-hour workout. The fitness-inspired routine is intense and this is a great song to work out to.
Enjoy “I Gotta Feeling” and have a superb final week of March.
Stay active!
~eden
Filed under Musical Mondays
I don’t recall the exact moment I connected with poet and author, Maria Haskins. All I know is she has been extremely supportive of my work, and when I dug a bit deeper, I was not surprised to learn how talented she is.
For the past couple of months, we have both read for The Word Count Podcast, and it’s made me appreciate Maria’s stories and writing style.
I’m very happy to offer Maria a forum to share of herself and her books on Eden’s Exchange. Continue reading
Filed under Author & Artist Interviews
Larry Enright is an author I’ve interviewed, read, and been friends with since I started writing. He has supported me and his fellow indie authors in so many ways, sometimes quietly, sometimes with his musical talents.
You may recall this performance he put on a few years ago. It was for a benefit I organized to help an author’s son with cancer. Larry hopped on board, no questions asked.
He’s always been there for me, and because of this, I’d like to do what I can to support him in his latest endeavour.
After self-publishing his books, he’s doing something different with his sci-fi thriller, The Jennifer Project — his latest book.
Larry has enrolled it in Amazon’s Kindle Scout Program. This means the first 5,000 words of the book are up on the Kindle Scout site. If you like it, you can “nominate” the book, which means you’d like to see Amazon’s publishing company, Kindle Press, take over the publishing and marketing responsibilities. Anyone who nominates a book that is ultimately published by Kindle Press gets a free Kindle copy.
As of this writing, there are ONLY 18 more days to nominate The Jennifer Project. It’s currently HOT, so let’s keep up the momentum and add to the number of Larry’s nominations!
He’s a superb writer, and by nominating his book, you are telling the editors of Kindle Press you want them to choose his book for further consideration.
It’s a terrific opportunity to truly help an indie author.
If you’re an author and want to support Larry, nominate The Jennifer Project.
If you’re a reader and wish to see Larry’s book published by Kindle Press, please do the same. To help you decide if it’s of interest to you, you can also read the first three chapters.
Some final words for Larry — I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you. You SO deserve this!
If we were not the most intelligent speciesIn 2096, Deever MacClendon creates Jennifer, the first proto-conscious cybernetic processor. It is hyper-intelligent, aware, and evolving. Deever wants to use his creation for the good of all, to help fix a broken world, but knowing what a powerful weapon it could be in the wrong hands, he hides it. When his secret is uncovered, he is forced to plunge into a high-tech morass of deception and treachery to avoid catastrophe and save a world where humans are no longer the most intelligent species.
* * * *
Larry Enright, the son of Irish immigrants, was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Kenyon College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Having filled his life with many careers including teacher, professional musician, computer programmer, and researcher, he now lives on a farm where he writes full time. The Jennifer Project will be his eleventh published work. The others are available in e-book, paperback, and audio book on Amazon.
Filed under Author Promotions
March soldiers on, featuring songs that make me move.
From a few years ago, this hit by Maroon 5 cuts its video with Mick Jagger footage and funky dance moves. It also features the terrific Christina Aguilera.
“Moves Like Jagger” is a great addition to any workout routine.
Hope you enjoy and have a super, energetic week!
~eden
Filed under Musical Mondays
I’ve crossed paths with Canadian author, Scott Bury in the past, but we didn’t connect until last year while working on the Lei Crime Series for Kindle Worlds.
I read his novella, Torn Roots and finally got a taste of his writing—excellent! Like me, Scott writes in multiple genres and he has numerous writing projects on the go.
Read more about this multi-talented writer and what he has to offer.
* * * * Continue reading
Filed under Author & Artist Interviews
You can also hear me read this story on: Episode #55 of R.B. Wood’s “The Word Count” podcast.
The prompt asked that we write a story based on three words:
Dog | Wheelchair | Addiction
This was a tough one for me because the three words seemed unrelated. The idea finally came to me when talking with a friend who is an avid runner.
* * * *
The man breathed heavily when he came to a halt. He removed his gloves and wiped the sweat from his face, plucked the water bottle from his backpack and drank half the Gatorade inside. A vast sky of crimson hues swirled above him, interrupted only by a ribbon of yellow that disappeared beyond the horizon. It was a perfect sunset. Only the muffled noise of distant traffic penetrated the quiet until a loud bark broke the calm.
He clenched his jaw when the dog continued yelping. A dog had changed his life five years ago, and each time he heard one barking, his back stiffened. He tucked his chin into his chest and tried to relieve the tension pressing against his spine.
The rain had stopped, but he was still soaked. Even though the downpour lasted less than a minute, his nylon jersey clung to his torso like static.
He was at the mid-point of his five-mile run, having stopped several times already to take a break. It had taken him a long time to build up his stamina again. He used to run fifteen miles without any problem. Now, everything was difficult where it once seemed effortless. He closed his eyes and felt his thighs tightening, burning from the run. How was this possible? He let out a heavy sigh before opening his eyes. The sensations below his waist disappeared when he peered at his body trapped in the wheelchair.
No legs. Both amputated six inches below his hips.
Phantom limbs, his doctor said. Because he had been a runner all his life, his muscle memory was better than that of other amputees who had lost their legs.
A runner, ha!
He could hardly call himself that anymore, could he?
Running was his obsession at one time. Similar to a drug addiction, he needed a hit of it everyday. He fed off the adrenaline, the pounding in his chest, the sound of his feet hitting the ground. Right before he lost his legs, he was training for his third New York City Marathon.
Now, when he tells his wife he wants to go for a run, she helps him pack up his wheelchair in the van, and they drive to one of several starting points. She picks him up a couple of hours later when he calls her.
Run. What a joke, but what else could he call it?
The same high pitch he heard earlier cut the silence again.
Damn dog.
The barking persisted and grew louder. The sky darkened and heavy raindrops thrummed against the metal of his wheelchair. It must have camouflaged the sound of fast-running paws. He didn’t see the shaggy mutt until it leapt on top of him.
A young female in jogging gear came running behind the dog. “Chester, come back here!”
The furry creature pranced on where his lap should have been.
“Chester, off!” The woman yanked the dog by his collar away from the wheelchair. She immediately clicked a leash on him and tightened her hold. The dog had little room to move from her side. “I am so sorry. He got away from me down in the valley. Are you all right?”
The man looked up at her face. Her big blue eyes opened wide, a furrow in between her brow. Rain ran down her cheeks and made her appear as if she was crying, but she wasn’t.
“I’m fine,” he said. He brushed off the mud tracks on his jersey from the dog’s paws. “He’s a feisty one, you should keep him on a leash out here.”
She shushed Chester when he barked again. “I know. He’s still a puppy, too much energy … I took him off leash to let him run some of it off, but I didn’t expect him to get away from me.” She hesitated and her face changed. “Are you okay? I mean … will you be all right to get home?”
He recognized the look, an expression of someone who knew she could walk away, but was hesitant to do so because he obviously could not. It was sympathy. He didn’t want it, didn’t need it, but had learned to accept it. He likened it to the brief interaction one makes before throwing a few coins in a beggar’s cup. The act of charity makes it easier to keep going.
“I’ll be fine,” he said, releasing her of her guilt.
“Okay.” She smiled and loosened her grip on the leash. Chester took a few steps toward him before she pulled him back. “Sorry again about … you know, Chester jumping on you.”
He nodded and watched her jog down the valley. Even under loose track pants, he could tell she had strong, muscular legs—runner’s legs, like he once had before the accident. Chester reminded him a bit of that dog—the one he swerved to avoid hitting on that two-lane country road.
The dog survived.
The driver of the truck he collided with also survived.
The only thing that didn’t make it—his legs.
Has an animal ever crossed your path while you were driving? How did you react? Feel free to leave a comment or ask me a question. I’d love to hear from you. ♥
~eden
**
Filed under Short Stories & Poetry
The world lost the great George Martin last week, legendary and innovative producer for much of The Beatles catalogue. In March, I’m featuring songs that make me move and this one pays tribute to the man often referred to as the fifth Beatle.
Rest in peace, George Martin … and thank you.
Enjoy “I Saw Her Standing There,” and have a super week,
~eden
Filed under Musical Mondays
Today, I have the privilege of handing over my blog to author Britt Skrabanek. Britt and I have been friends since I interviewed her for my Eden’s Exchange Author series, and she included me in her Life Enthusiast Chronicles.
In sharing with one another, we discovered common passions.
Writing. Of course.
But also yoga.
Unlike Britt who is a yogi, I only returned to yoga recently. I attend hot yoga classes about four times a week and I’m loving it!
In reading Britt’s post, I now understand why I feel better than I have in a very long time. Britt explains it in her charming, no-nonsense style. Her words resonated loudly with me and I’m sure they will with you too.
Take it away, Britt!
* * * *
There are two things that saved my life. Writing and Yoga. They both require focus and patience, they help me understand myself and the world, and they allow me to be unapologetically free.
Nobody is ever going to come ask me for financial advice. And, that’s okay.
Besides the usual grammar question, it makes me feel very honored when people talk to me about Yoga and wellness.
Just this past week two coworkers shared their excitement with me about treating their bodies with kindness. One presented her green smoothie, her first attempt at breakfast in some time. The other told me he was wearing peppermint and eucalyptus oil to treat his allergies, so he could breathe better.
Also in the same week, Eden and I began discussing a guest post—one that was long overdue. Almost two years ago we did an author interview, but this time was going to be completely different.
And, here we are.
Yoga on the beach
Eden, a regular meditation practitioner herself, told me about her recent journey with Yoga. Her body was craving movement, and a newly found love for a regular practice helped her become more focused and inspired when she truly needed it.
When you’re a writer, your mind has to stay simultaneously relaxed and sharp. Otherwise, it’s a struggle like nothing else. It looks different for everybody, and sometimes it’s not as clear-cut as being diagnosed with writer’s block. You might still be writing—but devoid of passion, going through the motions and feeling like you’ve run into a wall.
I certainly don’t claim to be an expert Yogi. I may not be the most natural speaker in front of students, or the technical teacher who knows the name of every muscle and bone. What I do know is what feels good and why it does.
I haven’t taught Yoga in a couple of years, but my training served as a guidebook to a better life. And I have made countless positive changes since I began dedicating my life to wellness.
However when I moved to Portland a couple of years ago, I started losing my practice. Uprooting your life is never easy, and the effects of those changes take a while to digest. I explored some new forms of exercise—I started running, something I loathed all my life, and I even joined a gym, something else I couldn’t stand.
Over the past six months I pushed myself to return to Yoga. And, I mean it when I say pushed.
Morning meditation
I started getting up a few minutes earlier each day to meditate and stretch. I got into guided meditation at night to heal my busy mind after a long day at work. I started practicing several days a week, even when I felt like I didn’t have the time.
Well, I made time for it. The demanding job excuse…so what? The novel won’t write itself excuse…so what? I knew I was doing the right thing for me and my body.
Over the past decade Yoga has exploded in the West, and there are many who claim it is a bastardization of its original form. The image of a skinny woman in expensive active wear doing impossible poses is something we started to associate with Yoga.
But, it’s so much more than that. And no matter how you come to Yoga, or which style you take, the benefits will take precedence.
A lot of people are attracted to the fitness aspect of Yoga. Then, they notice that they’re making healthier food choices and they’re handling conflicts with a sense of ease.
Cat yoga
That’s because the mind and body are deeply connected, more than we’ll ever know. Yoga postures are meant to prepare the body for meditation. Because if the body is functioning well, the mind has the space it needs to soar.
Think about it for a second. If something’s wrong with your body—you have the flu, you broke your toe, you experience chronic back pain—that’s all you can think about. Your mind is consumed by the unhappiness your body feels. When your body is happy, your mind can move on to other things.
I’m biased and I think everyone should and CAN do Yoga. If you’re a creative person? You absolutely should consider it for these reasons. My writing has transformed since I started a regular practice.
I’ve always been an active person, but Yoga is perfect for any body. Dance, especially when it got very serious for me, was not perfect for any body. There was an unattainable perfection staring back at me in the mirror. In Yoga it was just…come as you are.
Where else do we have that kind of permission in life? To just be.
On our Yoga mats we have a safe and beautiful space to explore. And it’s truly amazing what can happen when we take the time to listen to ourselves.
* * * *
Beautiful and true words, Britt. THANK YOU for sharing your wisdom.
Readers, please offer Britt some <3. Comment and ask her questions about yoga, fitness, and wellness. Or anything creative for that matter! She is, after all, the author of three books and a terrific addition to your network.
* * * *
Website/blog | Amazon Author Page | Twitter @BrittSkrabanek
Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Goodreads
Britt Skrabanek is the spirited indie novelist of Nola Fran Evie, Everything’s Not Bigger, and Beneath the Satin Gloves. Her blog is a whimsical snapshot of life, musings, and the glory of the written word. She is blissfully married, has two delightfully incorrigible cats, and loves to experience the world—all of its quirky beauty inspires her endlessly. When she’s not writing, she’s a bike-riding Yogi who loves to dance.
Filed under Eden's Guest Bloggers
Welcome to March and the first of many songs that make me move. I’ve joined a hot yoga studio and attend classes at least three times a week, including a fitness-inspired Body Tone class. One student calls it “hardcore,” but I love it.
It’s a high energy routine with loud music, and it leaves me hot, sweaty, and feeling great!
Speaking of hot, “Can’t Feel My Face” by Abęl Makkonen Tesfaye, known by his professional name The Weeknd is definitely hot in this video. Watch it and you’ll see what I mean. He’s Canadian and his song has been in my head for sometime. It’s sexy, original, and I can’t stand still when I’m listening to it.
Hope you enjoy and have a super week,
~eden
Filed under Musical Mondays
I’m excited to have author Olga Núñez Miret on my blog. Olga is a talented writer and translator of English and Spanish texts. She was also a forensic psychiatrist, which is of great interest to me for my own writing.
Please learn more about Olga and her books.
Her latest one called Escaping Psychiatry. Beginnings is free for now, so be sure to pick it up! Continue reading
Filed under Author & Artist Interviews
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